TheOneThingForOnething

Photos: John Tabor

The one thing that the Onething Conference needed was bright light output. Zebra Productions got that by using High End Systems’ LED automated luminaires for the recent Christian event in Kansas City, MO.

Colorado-based Zebra Productions supplied 20 SolaHyBeam 1000s and two Hog consoles for the late December conference hosted by the International House of Prayer. An estimated 20,000 youth gathered at the Kansas City Convention Center for the worshipful event.

Company owner/lead lighting designer John Tabor added the SolaHyBeams to his rental inventory about a year ago for theatre events, corporate productions, live broadcast shows, tours and one-off concerts.

“I bought the SolaHyBeams because of the LED engine and their brightness,” Tabor explains. “I did a shoot-out with Vari-Lite and Martin and felt the HyBeams had more output. It has become my favorite profile!”

The SolaHyBeam is a hybrid fixture featuring wash, spot and aerial effects all in one, making it an efficient lighting choice for any rental inventory. Tabor positioned 10 SolaHyBeams on the upstage truss for big beam looks and eight on the mid-stage V-truss for eye candy and backlighting the conference speakers.

For control, the team networked together a Full Boar 4 with a backup Road Hog 4. “Both Hogs were rock solid. I wanted two so that while the board op was programming, I could show him things on the other console to make looks come together faster,” the LD explains.

Tabor says he has “grown up” with Hogs since 2004. “I find I’m faster on them than other consoles.”

Speed and ease of use are not the only considerations in his console of choice. “It comes down to bang for buck,” he emphasizes. “I can get what I need for a better price - and as owner of the company I’m always thinking about the bottom line - or the return on investment. I really am happy with the High End gear!”